Pastry dough or cake decorating device

ABSTRACT

A device for applying frosting or icing to a cake or pastry from a cartridge containing pastry dough, frosting or icing. The device has a walled cartridge container and a hand-held gun for dispensing pastry dough, icing or frosting.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a hand-held device for applying pastry dough,frosting or icing. The invention also relates to a method for applyingpastry dough, frosting or icing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Decoration of cakes, pastries or the like foodstuffs with an attractiveand tasty frosting or icing is a necessary and time consuming task. Thepreparation thereof frequently results in a significant mess, withspillage and clutter as a consequence of the required mixing containers,food coloring and flavoring bottles. This is especially true on acommercial level when it is desired to prepare frostings of varyingcolors for differing festive occasions as well as to provide frostingsor trim icings of various flavors to complement the cake or pastry.

Frostings and icings having a high viscosity are usually applied using abaker's pastry bag, such as the ones disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,961,517, 4,844,917, and Des. 310,317, or with a pastry gun as shown inU.S. Pat. No. Des. 335,069. The pastry bag and the pastry gun requiresignificant force to squeeze the bag or trigger to force high viscosityfrosting or icing through shaped nozzles and onto a cake or pastry. Whenused on a commercial level where numerous cakes and pastries must becoated with frosting and icing, the user's hands may become fatiguesthus requiring the user to take rest breaks. Resting due to fatigue canundesirably raise the cost of preparing the cakes and pastries.Furthermore, fatigue can result in unwanted miss-application of thefrosting or icing. Thus, there is a need for a device which applies highviscosity frostings and icings that does not require significant humanforce during application in order to avoid undesirable fatigue.

Forming pastry dough into shapes is similar to forming icing orfrosting. Pastry bags have been used to form pastry dough into desiredshapes. However, as with icing and frosting, when used on a commerciallevel where numerous pastries must be formed, fatigue can occur whichrequires significant amounts of resting. Resting due to fatigue canundesirably raise the cost of preparing the pastries. Therefore, adevice which is capable of forming pastries without significant humanforce is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a device forapplying high viscosity frosting or icing to a pastry or cake which doesnot require significant human force.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device forapplying high viscosity pastry dough which does not require significanthuman force.

The above objective and other objectives can be obtained by thefollowing. Provided is a novel device for applying frosting or icing toa cake or pastry from a cartridge containing pastry dough, frosting oricing comprising:

a walled cartridge container defining at least one internal chamberconstructed and arranged to contain a cartridge and contain pressurizedair, each internal chamber having an associated air inlet and an outlet;

valve structure associated with each of the at least one air inlets forseparately controlling air pressure applied to each of the at least oneinternal chambers whereby the air pressure can be varied in eachindividual internal chamber independent of one another;

a hand-held gun for dispensing pastry dough, icing or frosting;

an associated hose connecting each of the outlets to an associated gunvalve in the hand-held gun; and

a finger trigger on the hand-held gun connected to the gun valve whereby when the finger trigger is activated the gun valve opens allowing theflow of pastry, icing or frosting through the hand-held gun.

Also provided is a novel device for applying frosting or icing to a cakeor pastry comprising:

a tube defining side walls of a compressed air chamber;

a cap constructed and arranged to seal an end of the tube and define atop of the compressed air chamber;

a plunger rod disposed within the tube;

a sealing washer connected to the plunger rod and being constructed andarranged to provide an air seal with an inside surface of the tube andto slide along the inside surface, the sealing washer defining a lowerwall of the compressed air chamber;

an air inlet in the cap or the tube located to allow air into thecompressed air chamber;

valve structure associated with the air inlet for controlling the airpressure in the compressed air chamber;

a container lid connected to a lower portion of the tube, the plungerrod extending through the container lid;

a plunger connected on an end of the plunger rod on a side of thecontainer lid opposite the tube;

a container body having an opening that seals with the container lid anda container outlet in a portion opposite the opening;

a hand-held gun for dispensing pastry dough, icing or frosting;

a hose connecting the container outlet to a gun valve in the hand-heldgun; and

a finger trigger on the hand-held gun connected to the gun valve wherebywhen the finger trigger is activated the gun valve opens allowing theflow of pastry, icing or frosting through the hand-held gun.

The invention also provides a novel method of applying pastry dough,icing or frosting comprising:

loading a cartridge containing pastry dough, icing or frosting into aninner chamber of a walled cartridge container defining at least oneinternal chamber constructed and arranged to contain the cartridge andcontain pressurized air, each internal chamber having an associated airinlet and an outlet, a valve structure associated with each of the atleast one air inlets for separately controlling air pressure applied toeach of the at least one internal chambers, a hand-held gun fordispensing pastry dough, icing or frosting, an associated hoseconnecting each of the outlets to an associated gun valve in thehand-held gun, and a finger trigger on the hand-held gun connected tothe gun valve whereby when the finger trigger is activated the gun valveopens allowing the flow of pastry, icing or frosting through thehand-held gun;

adjusting the air pressure in the inner chamber containing the cartridgeto a level sufficient to force the pastry dough, icing or frostingthrough an outlet in the cartridge, through the outlet in the innerchamber, though the hose and to the hand-held gun; and

applying pressure to the finger trigger to cause flow of the pastrydough, icing or frosting through an outlet in the cartridge, through theoutlet in the inner chamber, though the hose and through the hand-heldgun.

The invention further provides a novel method of applying pastry dough,icing or frosting comprising:

loading pastry dough, icing or frosting into a container body of adevice comprising:

a tube defining side walls of a compressed air chamber;

a cap constructed and arranged to seal an end of the tube and define atop of the compressed air chamber;

a plunger rod disposed within the tube;

a sealing washer connected to the plunger rod and being constructed andarranged to provide an air seal with an inside surface of the tube andslide along the inside surface, the sealing washer defining a lower wallof the compressed air chamber;

an air inlet in the cap or the tube located to allow air into thecompressed air chamber;

valve structure associated with the air inlet for controlling the airpressure in the compressed air chamber;

a container lid connected to a lower portion of the tube, the plungerrod extending through the container lid;

a plunger connected on an end of the plunger rod on a side of thecontainer lid opposite the tube;

the container body having an opening that seals with the container lidand a container outlet in a portion opposite the opening;

a hand-held gun for dispensing pastry dough, icing or frosting;

a hose connecting the container outlet to a gun valve in the hand-heldgun; and

a finger trigger on the hand-held gun connected to the gun valve wherebywhen the finger trigger is activated the gun valve opens allowing theflow of pastry, icing or frosting through the hand-held gun;

connecting the container body to the container lid;

adjusting the air pressure in the compressed air chamber to a levelsufficient to force the pastry dough, icing or frosting through thecontainer outlet, though the hose and to the hand-held gun; and

applying pressure to the finger trigger to cause flow of the pastrydough, icing or frosting through the container outlet, through the hoseand through the hand-held gun.

The invention also provides a novel method of applying pastry dough,icing or frosting comprising:

loading a cartridge containing pastry dough, icing or frosting into acontainer body of a device comprising:

a tube defining side walls of a compressed air chamber;

a cap constructed and arranged to seal an end of the tube and define atop of the compressed air chamber;

a plunger rod disposed within the tube;

a sealing washer connected to the plunger rod and being constructed andarranged to provide an air seal with an inside surface of the tube andslide along the inside surface, the sealing washer defining a lower wallof the compressed air chamber;

an air inlet in the cap or the tube located to allow air into thecompressed air chamber;

valve structure associated with the air inlet for controlling the airpressure in the compressed air chamber;

a container lid connected to a lower portion of the tube, the plungerrod extending through the container lid;

a plunger connected on an end of the plunger rod on a side of thecontainer lid opposite the tube;

the container body having an opening that seals with the container lidand a container outlet in a portion opposite the opening;

a hand-held gun for dispensing pastry dough, icing or frosting;

a hose connecting the container outlet to a gun valve in the hand-heldgun; and

a finger trigger on the hand-held gun connected to the gun valve wherebywhen the finger trigger is activated the gun valve opens allowing theflow of pastry, icing or frosting through the hand-held gun;

connecting the container body to the container lid;

adjusting the air pressure in the compressed air chamber to a levelsufficient to force the pastry dough, icing or frosting through thecontainer outlet, though the hose and to the hand-held gun; and

applying pressure to the finger trigger to cause flow of the pastrydough, icing or frosting through the container outlet, through the hoseand through the hand-held gun.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of the cartridge box according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a side of the cartridge boxaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the hand-held gun according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the hand-held gun according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative cartridge box according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a view of a guide washer of the invention having airpassages;

FIG. 7 illustrates a view of a sealed washer of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a view of a sealed guide washer of the invention; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a view of a cartridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will now be described with reference to the attachedFigures. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a cartridge box 1 which houses threecartridges 22 that contain pastry dough, icing or frosting. Apressurized air hose 2 is connected to an air compressor (not shown).Any standard air compressor can be used. The air pressure in the airhose 2 is regulated using a conventional air pressure valve 4. Asplitter 6 is used to divide the air pressure in the air hose 2 intothree separate air conduits 8.

The cartridge box 1 is a walled structure defining three internalchambers shown at 14. Each internal chamber 14 has an associated airinlet 16, for supplying air under pressure to the internal chamber 14.Each air inlet 16 is connected to a separate air conduit 8. Each airconduit 8 has an associated standard air pressure valve 10 forcontrolling the air pressure supplied to each internal chamber 14independently of the other internal chambers 14. The number of internalchambers 14 can be varied as desired. For example, the cartridge box cancontain one internal chamber 14, or a plurality of internal chambers 14.Preferably, each internal chamber 14 has an associated air conduit 8 andair pressure valve 10 to adjust the air pressure within the internalchamber 14.

Each internal chamber 14 has an associated outlet 18 through which thepastry dough, icing or frosting passes. Each outlet 18 is connected to ahose 20. The internal chambers 14 are constructed and sized to contain acartridge 22 containing, pastry dough, frosting or icing. The cartridgebox 1 can be opened using the lid 28. The lid 28 can be secured usingany suitable securing device, such as a hinge on one side and a locks 12as shown in FIG. 1, or the lid 28 can slide into a grove on the body ofthe cartridge box 1 (not shown). If desired, screws, bolts, clamps, camlocks, and the like can be used to secure the lid 28 to the body of thecartridge box 1. While a top lid 28 has been described, the location ofthe lid 28 on the cartridge box 1 can be provided in any desiredlocation, such as on a side of the cartridge box 1 and the air inlets 16provided on the lid 28 (embodiment not shown).

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view through the center of acartridge 22. The cartridge 22 comprises a tubular walled structurehaving openings on opposite ends and a substantially constant innerdiameter. On one end of the cartridge 22, a cartridge outlet 24 isprovided. An inside surface defining the internal chamber 14 and theinside surface of the lid 28 are constructed such that a seal isprovided around the outer surface of the cartridge 22 when the lid 28 issecured in place and/or when air pressure is applied to the internalchamber 14. This prevents air from traveling around the cartridge 22inside of the internal chamber 14 and through the outlet 18, instead ofapplying pressure to the plunger 26. This seal to the outside surface ofthe cartridge 18 can be provided by shaping the inside surface of thelid 28 and the surface defining the internal chamber 14 to mate with theoutside surface of the cartridge 22 and provide a seal upon contact tothe outside surface of the cartridge 22. If desired, other means ofsealing using the outside surface of the cartridge 22 can be utilized,such as gaskets. Alternatively, or in addition to sealing the outside ofthe cartridge 22 to the internal chamber 14 and lid 28, the cartridgeoutlet 24 and the outlet 18 can be constructed to provide a seal whenthe cartridge 22 is loaded into the internal chamber 14, to prevent airfrom traveling around the cartridge 22 inside of the internal chamber 14and through the outlet 18, instead of applying pressure to the plunger26. This can be accomplished, for example, by the use of materials whichprovide a seal without the use of gaskets or by using an o-ring, flatgasket or other suitable seal material. At the other end the cartridge22, an opening is provided for accepting pastry dough, icing orfrosting. Once the cartridge 22 is filled with the desired material, aplunger 26 is inserted into the cartridge 22. The cartridge 22 operatesmuch like a calking tube. Once air pressure is applied to the plunger26, the plunger 26 is forced further into the cartridge 22, which forcespastry dough, icing or frosting out of the cartridge 22.

The desired icing or frosting can be purchased prepackaged in cartridges22. Alternatively, the desired pastry dough, icing or frosting can beformulated and then inserted in a cartridge 22, followed by insertingthe plunder 26. In addition, the device can also be used to form pastrydough. The desired pastry dough can be purchased prepackaged incartridges 22. Alternatively, the desired pastry dough can be formulatedand then inserted in a cartridge 22, followed by inserting the plunder26.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate top and cross-sectional views of a hand-heldgun 40 for controlling dispensing of the pastry dough, icing or frostingfrom the device. The hand-held gun 40 is connected to the three hoses 20and each hose is connected to an associated gun valve 43 that isactivated by the finger trigger 42. The finger trigger 42 opens the gunvalves 43 and allows pastry dough, icing or frosting to flowtherethrough. Preferably, the gun valves 43 are constructed such thatthe greater the amount the finger trigger 42 is pulled, the more the gunvalves 43 open allowing more pastry dough, frosting or icing to flowtherethrough. The gun valves 43 are each connected to an associatednozzle 44. The nozzles 44 are connected to an interchangeable head 46,through which the pastry dough, icing or frosting flows. Theinterchangeable head 46 can have a shaped opening to provide the desiredshape of pastry dough, icing or frosting. The interchangeable head 46works in the same manner as shaped heads on conventional pastry bags.Thus, one skilled in the art will easily be able to provide a shapedhead 46 for the desire shape of pastry dough, icing or frosting.

The operation of the device will now be described. First, air pressureis relieved in the internal chambers 14 by closing the valves 10 andopening the valves present in the hand-held gun 40. Once the airpressure in the internal chambers 14 is relieved, the lid 28 is openedto provide access to the internal chambers 14. The desired cartridge(s)22 is inserted in the internal chamber(s) 14 and the lid 28 is closed.Pressure is then applied to the internal chamber(s) 14 by opening thevalve(s) 10. In general, the greater the air pressure against theplunger 26, the greater the speed at which the pastry dough, icing orfrosting will travel out of the cartridge 22, through the hose 20, andout of the hand-held gun 40 when the trigger 42 is pulled. Therefore, byvarying the amount of air pressure against the plunger 26 using thevalve 10, the speed of the pastry dough, icing or frosting being appliedcan be varied. When a variable gun valve(s) 43 is utilized in thehand-held gun 40, the flow speed of the pastry dough, icing or frostingcan also be adjusted by varying the amount the gun valve 43 is open orclosed using the trigger 42. Furthermore, when multiple cartridges 22are used, the pressure can be shut off and turned-on to each cartridge22 independently to easily change between different types orcombinations of pastry dough, icing or frosting being applied using thehand-held gun 40. For example, more than one type of frosting or icingcan be applied simultaneously using the device by applying the desiredamount of air pressure to more than one internal chamber 14. The airpressure can also be adjusted among the different cartridges 22 tocompensate for differences in viscosity. Higher viscosity materialsusually require a higher pressure to provide a desired level of speedthrough the hand-held gun 40. The device is suitable for applying highviscosity materials such as pastry dough, frosting and icing, which havea putty-like consistency and do not flow fast or cannot be sprayed likea liquid. Liquid materials, such as glazes and inks are generallyunsuitable for use in the device described herein. Furthermore, suchliquid materials require a spraying device which is very different fromthe device described herein.

To provide easy cleaning of the device, each internal chamber 14 canoptionally be provided with an associated water inlet 30 for supplyingwater to the internal chamber 14. Each water inlet 30 should be providedwith a back-flow valve or other shut-off valve to prevent air pressurefrom escaping the internal chamber 14. Each internal chamber 14 can becleaned by supplying water to the internal chamber 14 through the inlet30 and then opening the valve 10 and gun valve 43 to allow air to flowthrough the internal chamber 14 which will flush the water through thehose 20 and hand-held gun 40.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment in which no cartridge 22 isrequired. The device employs the hand-held gun 40 of FIGS. 3 and 4. Apressurized air hose 52 is connected to an air compressor (not shown).The air pressure in the air hose 52 is regulated using any standard airpressure valve 54. A two inch diameter pipe 58 defines the side walls ofa compressed air chamber 60. The pipe 58 can be formed from any suitablematerial, such as aluminum, stainless steel, composite, and plastic.Aluminum is preferred. Furthermore, the diameter of the pipe 58 is notcritical and can be any size as desired. To reduce manufacturing costs,a standard two inch diameter pipe 58 has been used by way of example. Aplunger rod 64 is located within the pipe 58. The plunger rod 64contains a sealed washer 66 which defines a movable lower wall of thecompressed air chamber 60. FIG. 7 illustrates a view of the sealedwasher 66. The sealed washer 66 provides an air seal with the insidewalls of the pipe 58 and can slide along the inside walls of the pipe58. A cap 59 defines an upper wall of the compressed air chamber 60. Thecap 59 can be secured to the pipe 58 using any suitable securing device,such by screw threads, bolts, clamps and camlocks. An air inlet 56 isprovided on the cap 59, or alternatively on any portion of the pipe 58within the minimum size of the of compressed air chamber 60. For thedevice shown in FIG. 5, the minimum size of the compressed air chamber60 is defined by the minimum distance between the cap 59 and the sealedwasher 66. The air hose 52 is connected to the air inlet 56 to supplyair pressure to the compressed air chamber 60. As the air pressure isincreased in the compressed air chamber 60, air pressure forces thesealed washer 66 downward and away from the cap 59 which forces theplunger rod 64 downward.

Optional guide washers 62 are located within the pipe 58 to maintain thelocation of the plunger rod 64 with respect to the side walls of thepipe 58. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, there are two types of guide washers62. FIG. 6 illustrates a guide washer 62 having air passages 63. Theplunger rod 64 glides through the center hole in the guide washer 62.FIG. 8 illustrates a sealed guide washer 62 having no air passages.Preferably, the guide washer shown in FIG. 5 closer to the container top72 is a sealed guide washer 62 as shown in FIG. 8, and the guide washer62 closer to the cap 59 is a guide washer 62 having air passages 63 asshown in FIG. 6. The compressed air chamber 60 is preferably providedwith an air valve 68 for releasing the air pressure in the compressedair chamber 60 when desired. The pipe 58 should be provided with an airvent 70 which is located in a portion of the pipe 58 outside of thecompressed air chamber 60, so that air pressure is not built up withinthe pipe 58 when the sealed washer 66 moves.

The pipe 58 is connected to a top cover 72 of a container 74 forcontaining the desired pastry dough, frosting or icing. The top cover 72is removably mounted to the container 74 using cam locks 76. Anysuitable securing device, such as bolts, screw threads, cam locks andclamps, can be used to secure the top cover 72 to the container 74. Theplunger rod 64 extends down through the top cover 72 and into thecontainer 74. A plunger 78 is mounted on the bottom of the plunger rod64. The plunger 78 is constructed to provide a seal with the insidewalls of the container 74 and slide along the inside walls of thecontainer 74. The container 74 is provided with air valves 80 to removeair from the container 74 as desired. An outlet 82 is located at abottom of the container 74. The outlet 82 is connected to a conduit 20,which is connected to the hand-held gun 40 in the same manner asdescribed above.

The plunger rod 64 is preferably provided with a spring 84 which biasesthe plunger rod 64 in a direction away from the container 74. In thismanner, when the air pressure is removed from the compressed air chamber60 using the valve 68, the plunger 78 retracts from the bottom of thecontainer 74 towards the top cover 72.

The operation of the device will now be described. First the airpressure in the compressed air chamber 60 is relieved by closing thevalve 54 and opening the valve 68. When the pressure is relieved in thecompresses air chamber 60, the container 74 can be separated from thecontainer top 72. The container 74 can be filled with the desired pastrydough, icing or frosting and then attached to the container top 72. Airpressure can be applied to the compressed air chamber 60 by opening thevalve 54 and closing the valve 68. Sufficient air pressure should beapplied to the compressed air chamber 60 to force the plunger 78 downinto contact with the pastry dough, icing or frosting in the container74. Air caught between the plunger 78 and the top surface of the pastrydough, icing or frosting can be relieved through the valves 80.Preferably, most of the air caught between the plunger 78 and the topsurface of the pastry dough, icing or frosting is removed prior tooperation of the device. However, the device can be used with airpresent in the container 74.

Alternatively, a cartridge (not shown) containing the desired pastrydough, icing or frosting can be inserted into the open container 74. Thecartridge can be similar to the cartridge 22, in that a cartridgeplunger (not shown) is inserted into the cartridge after the desiredpastry dough, icing or frosting is inserted. If the cartridge is used, adifferent plunger 78 will have to be attached to the bottom of theplunger rod 64 because the inside diameter of the cartridge will be lessthan the inside diameter of the container 74. The plunger 78 can besized to contact a cartridge plunger in the cartridge or alternatively,the plunger 78 can be sized to seal with in the inside surface of thecartridge such that no cartridge plunger is required. When pressure isapplied to the plunger 78 and the hand-held gun valve 43 is open, theplunger 78 forces pastry dough, icing or frosting out of the cartridge,through the outlet 82 and hose 20, into the hand-held gun 40, and out ofthe interchangeable head 46. The cartridges can be purchased containingthe desired pastry dough, icing or frosting, or the desired pastrydough, icing or frosting can be formulated and loaded into thecartridges.

In general, the greater the air pressure against the plunger 78, thegreater the speed at which the pastry dough, icing or frosting willtravel out of the container 74 through the hose 20, and out of thehand-held gun 40 when the trigger 42 is pulled. Therefore, by varyingthe amount of air pressure against the plunger 78 using the valve 54,the speed of the pastry dough, icing or frosting being applied can bevaried.

Multiple apparatus as shown in FIG. 5 can be used and connected to thehand-held gun 40 using multiple hoses 20. When multiple apparatus areused, the pressure can be shut off and on to each apparatusindependently using the associated valve 54 to easily change betweendifferent types of pastry dough, icing or frosting being applied usingthe hand-held gun 40. The pressure can also be adjusted among thedifferent apparatus to compensate for differences in viscosity. Higherviscosities usually require higher pressure to provide a desired levelof speed through the hand-held gun 40. The device is suitable for highviscosity materials such as pastry dough, frosting and icing, which donot flow fast or can be sprayed like a liquid. Liquid materials, such asglazes and inks are unsuitable for use in the device described herein.Furthermore, such liquid materials require a spraying device which isvery different from the device described herein.

While the claimed invention has been described in detail and withreference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications can bemade to the claimed invention without departing from the spirit andscope thereof.

I claim:
 1. A device for dispensing frosting, icing or pastry doughcomprising:a tube defining side walls of a compressed air chamber; a capconstructed and arranged to seal an end of said tube and define a top ofsaid compressed air chamber; a plunger rod disposed within said tube; asealing washer connected to said plunger rod and being constructed andarranged to provide an air seal with an inside surface of said tube andto slide along said inside surface, said sealing washer defining a lowerwall of said compressed air chamber; an air inlet in said cap or saidtube located to allow air into said compressed air chamber; valvestructure associated with said air inlet for controlling the airpressure in said compressed air chamber; a container lid connected to alower portion of said tube, said plunger rod extending through saidcontainer lid; a plunger operatively associated with an end of saidplunger rod on a side of said container lid opposite said tube; acontainer body having an opening that seals with said container lid anda container outlet in a portion opposite said opening; a hand-held gunhaving a gun valve for dispensing pastry dough, icing or frosting; ahose connecting said container outlet to said gun valve; a nozzlecomprising a head having a shaped opening, said nozzle being connectedto said gun; and a finger trigger on said hand-held gun connected tosaid gun valve whereby when pastry dough, frosting or icing is disposedin said container body and said finger trigger is activated said gunvalve opens allowing air in said compressed air chamber exerted on saidsealing washer to move said plunger and allowing the flow of pastrydough, icing or frosting through said hand-held gun, said nozzle and outof said shaped opening in said head, wherein surfaces of said devicewhich come in contact with pastry dough, icing or frosting are suitablefor contact with pastry dough, icing or frosting.
 2. A device accordingto claim 1, herein said plunger is constructed and arranged to seal withan inner surface of said container.
 3. A device according to claim 1,wherein said plunger is constructed and arranged to seal with an innersurface of a cartridge contained in said container.
 4. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said plunger is constructed and arrangedto contact a cartridge plunger in a cartridge contained in saidcontainer.
 5. A device according to claim 1, further comprising at leastone guide washer constructed and arranged to maintain a location of saidplunger rod with respect to said inner surface of said tube.
 6. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said head is interchangeable.
 7. A methodof applying pastry dough, icing or frosting comprising:loading pastrydough, icing or frosting into a container body of a device comprising:atube defining side walls of a compressed air chamber; a cap constructedand arranged to seal an end of said tube and define a top of saidcompressed air chamber; a plunger rod disposed within said tube; asealing washer connected to said plunger rod and being constructed andarranged to provide an air seal with an inside surface of said tube andslide along said inside surface, said sealing washer defining a lowerwall of said compressed air chamber; an air inlet in said cap or saidtube located to allow air into said compressed air chamber; valvestructure associated with said air inlet for controlling the airpressure in said compressed air chamber; a container lid connected to alower portion of said tube, said plunger rod extending through saidcontainer lid; a plunger connected on an end of said plunger rod on aside of said container lid opposite said tube; said container bodyhaving an opening that seals with said container lid and a containeroutlet in a portion opposite said opening; a hand-held gun fordispensing pastry dough, icing or frosting; a hose connecting saidcontainer outlet to a gun valve in said hand-held gun; and a fingertrigger on said hand-held gun connected to said gun valve whereby whensaid finger trigger is activated said gun valve opens allowing the flowof pastry, icing or frosting through said hand-held gun; connecting saidcontainer body to said container lid; adjusting the air pressure in saidcompressed air chamber to a level sufficient to force said pastry dough,icing or frosting through said container outlet, though said hose and tosaid hand-held gun; and applying pressure to said finger trigger tocause flow of said pastry dough, icing or frosting through saidcontainer outlet, through said hose and through said hand-held gun.
 8. Amethod according to claim 7, wherein said pasty dough, icing or frostingflows through a shaped head on said gun.
 9. A method according to claim8, wherein said shaped head is interchangeable.
 10. A method of applyingpastry dough, icing or frosting comprising:loading a cartridgecontaining pastry dough, icing or frosting into a container body of adevice comprising:a tube defining side walls of a compressed airchamber; a cap constructed and arranged to seal an end of said tube anddefine a top of said compressed air chamber; a plunger rod disposedwithin said tube; a sealing washer connected to said plunger rod andbeing constructed and arranged to provide an air seal with an insidesurface of said tube and slide along said inside surface, said sealingwasher defining a lower wall of said compressed air chamber; an airinlet in said cap or said tube located to allow air into said compressedair chamber; valve structure associated with said air inlet forcontrolling the air pressure in said compressed air chamber; a containerlid connected to a lower portion of said tube, said plunger rodextending through said container lid; a plunger connected on an end ofsaid plunger rod on a side of said container lid opposite said tube;said container body having an opening that seals with said container lidand a container outlet in a portion opposite said opening; a hand-heldgun for dispensing pastry dough, icing or frosting; a hose connectingsaid container outlet to a gun valve in said hand-held gun; and a fingertrigger on said hand-held gun connected to said gun valve whereby whensaid finger trigger is activated said gun valve opens allowing the flowof pastry, icing or frosting through said hand-held gun; connecting saidcontainer body to said container lid; adjusting the air pressure in saidcompressed air chamber to a level sufficient to force said pastry dough,icing or frosting through said container outlet, though said hose and tosaid hand-held gun; and applying pressure to said finger trigger tocause flow of said pastry dough, icing or frosting through saidcontainer outlet, through said hose and through said hand-held gun. 11.A method according to claim 10, wherein said pasty dough, icing orfrosting flows through a shaped head on said gun.
 12. A method accordingto claim 11, wherein said shaped head is interchangeable.